Following a bout of Olympics fever, a recent survey has revealed how many British people think they could make the cut for the next Games in four years time. Across 25 different sports, YouGov asked Brits whether they thought they could qualify for the 2028 Olympics, which will take place in Los Angeles, if they started training today – and the results were pretty surprising.
According to the international online research data and analytics technology group’s survey, more than one in four Britons (27%) reckon they could become an Olympic-level athlete in at least one of the sports within that time. Look out, L.A!
Which sports do Brits think they could qualify for in 2028 if they started training for the Olympics now?
Of the 25 sports, most Brits think they stand the most chance of qualifying for the 10m Air Rifle team (15%), most likely influenced by Olympic silver medal-winner Yusuf Dikec representing Turkey. The air rifle shooter became a viral meme for shooting casually without any gear, in baggy clothing, and with one hand in his pocket, in contrast to his competitors bedecked in specialist gear.
Similarly, 13% of Brits believe that they have a good chance of making the Olympic archery team if they set foot in a range for four years of practice beginning today. Coming in third was badminton, which 10% of Britons think they stand a chance of making the grade on if they trained for the next four years, followed by table tennis (9%) and rowing (7%).
However, at the other end of the scale, only 3% of Britons think they could qualify in rhythmic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, diving, rugby sevens, or skateboarding.
Which Olympic sports do different age groups believe they could qualify for in 2028 if they started training now?
According to YouGov’s results, the youngsters (aged 18 to 24 years) are most confident of their sporting potential overall, with 39% of the age group believing they could qualify for the next Olympic Games. This age group is also most likely to think they could be a competitor in archery, table tennis and the 100m sprint, with 17% saying so for each sport. On this latter sport in particular they were far more confident than other age groups – only 2-7% of the over-25s think they stand a chance in the 100m dash.
34% of 25-49 year olds thought that they have what it takes to compete, while understandably, the oldest Brits are far less certain. Although saying that, 15% of the over-65s think they could compete in the games if they put their mind to it. For the three older age groups, each are most likely to think they stand a chance in the shooting first and the archery second.
The results also show that men are slightly more likely than women (30% vs 25%) to think they could make the Olympic team in 2028.
Commenting on the results, YouGov said: “While the public may appear overconfident, their thoughts are perhaps more understandable when you realise that the two sports they are most likely to think they could compete in require some of the least physical activity.”
Which sport do you think you would be able to qualify for in 2028 if you put four years of hard work in? I think I’ll stick to the unofficial Olympic sports of weaving around people on Oxford Street and changing lines at Bank for now.
You can find the full survey results here.